Ever wondered about that strange odor that seems to be coming from your kitchen sink?
A lot of homeowners will assume this odor is due to a clogged sink and/or debris that hasn’t made its way down the drain. While this can be true, the most common reason for sewer gases coming back up through the sink has to do with a lack of a trap.
This will make you wonder, does a kitchen sink need a trap?
All kitchen sinks need a trap to pass legal inspection. This trap is designed to create an air seal that prevents sewer gases from entering the premises through the kitchen sink. It can be installed either internally or externally depending on the design of the sink.
A common mistake people make is to assume their kitchen sink trap is working properly. It is just like any other component and can end up failing you due to structural damage.
This is why you will want to understand the value of a good kitchen sink trap and why it is a must for your fixture. This article will go through the advantages of a trap in the kitchen sink and how to find the right one.
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Best P Trap For Kitchen Sink (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
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Benefits Of A Trap For Your Kitchen
1. Prevents Sewer Gases From Entering Kitchen
The main benefit of a p trap for your kitchen has to do with prevention.
When debris goes down the drain, it is being collected inside the piping. These pipes can interlink with other parts of the drainage system inside the property.
While a fully functional drainage system isn’t going to cause issues, an aging one can create massive concerns. These issues tend to revolve around sewage gases coming back up to the drain and reentering the kitchen.
This can then start to spread to all parts of the house making it smell bad.
As a result, you will want to have the p trap in your kitchen sink to make sure it filters those sewer gases immediately.
Just by having the trap in place, you are going to make sure those sewer gases are stopped in their tracks.
2. Creates Air Seal
You have to look at the air seal that is going to be created.
The trap is designed to make sure any type of gas isn’t coming through. This is not just about sewer gas but anything else that is going to be working its way up the kitchen sink.
By having the p trap in place, you are going to have more peace of mind.
This is an essential detail to think about when it comes to the mechanisms associated with your kitchen sink.
If there are any issues in this regard, the kitchen sink is simply not going to work the way you want it to. This can lead to unwanted messes that are difficult to clean up and/or bad odors that start to leak into the kitchen.
3. Increased Safety
There is a reason building inspectors will look to see whether or not you have a trap set up inside the kitchen sink.
The reason has to do with increased safety.
Now, most people are going to look at the idea of sewer gases with the smell in mind. Yes, the smell is going to be awful but that is not the only issue. The bigger concern has to do with the type of gas that comes back up the drain because it might be dangerous to your health.
Constant exposure to this type of gas is simply not acceptable.
It will make the kitchen and entire building an unhealthy place to live in. This is why legal guidelines are in place to have the p trap ready from day one and to make sure it is functional.
Related Questions
1. Do All Sinks Need A Trap?
Yes, all sinks require a trap to prevent sewer gases from working their way up and into the room. These traps are not only set up for all sinks in the house but also toilets.
2. What Is The Purpose Of A Trap Under The Sink?
A trap under the sink is designed to stop sewer gases from coming back up the pipe and into the living space. This can include kitchen sinks, laundry room sinks, and/or bathroom sinks around the house.
Final Thoughts
Does a kitchen sink need a trap?
It’s important to have a quality, functional trap set up inside a kitchen sink. It’s the only way to make sure the kitchen sink doesn’t create unwanted smells that are difficult to handle.
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